Clasp



Sept. 8,1931. 7 w s uE 1,822,460

CLASP Filed Feb. 14. 1931 INVENTOR? WILL/4M P. 5PEA6UE ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 8, 1931 WILLIAM E. SPRAGUE, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA CLASP Application filed February 14, 1931.

My invention relates to and has for its purpose the provision of a clasp of simple, substantial, and compact construction, which in one of its many uses, is adapted to securely and neatly hold in place, one or more folds of cloth gathered at one point or from two separate points, so that in the application of the clasp to a shirt sleeve of excessive length for example, the sleeve can be maintained shortened as required to accommodate the arm length of the wearer, all without detracting from the appearance of the sleeve.

I will describe only one form of clasp embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view showing in front elevation, one form of clasp embodying my invention applied to a fold in the sleeve of a shirt.

Figures 2 and 3 are vertical sectional views taken respectively on the lines 22 and 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the clasp in open position.

Referring specifically to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate similar parts in each of the several views, my invention in its present embodiment comprises a pair of hingedly connected and coacting members M and M, the member M being formed from a length of wire into substantially T-shape to provide a hinge pin from the ends of which project at a right angle, parallel branches 11 and 11 each of which is extended laterally at a right angle to provide oppositely projecting clamping branches 12 and 12 respectively, terminating in return bends 13 and 13 respectively, connected by a rectilinear portion 1 1 disposed parallel to the pin 10 and constituting the latching element of a latch embodied in the clasp for releasably retaining the members M and M in the closed position shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3.

The member M is constructed from sheet metal to provide a rectangular body 15 having one end curled upon the pin 10 to form a sleeve 16 co-acting with the pin to hingedly connect the members. The sleeve is of less 1 length than the width of the body to provide Serial No. 515,832.

shoulders 17 constituting stops with which the member M co-acts to limit the open position of the members The opposite end of the member M is curved laterally as indicated at 18 and its free extremity ,is bent upon itself to provide a groove 19 constituting a keeper into which the rectilinear portion 14. of the member M is adapted to be sprung or snapped to latch the members closed.

The body 15 is provided intermediate its ends with right angularly projecting clamp ing arms 20 and 20. The corners of these arms at their free extremities are rounded, and the arms are curved longitudinally as shown in Figure 4-, so that when the members M and are closed, the arms will project beyond the plane of the member M and will co-act with the clamping branches 12 and 12 of the latter to clampingly engage a fold of cloth in a manner to be later described.

The operation of the clasp in its application to the sleeve of a shirt in order to shorten the sleeve, is as follows: The shirt sleeve is first folded transversely upon itself at the desired location along its length a suflicient amount to produce the desired shortening of the sleeve length as shown in Figures 1 and 2, after which the free end of the member M is inserted between the main body 21 of the sleeve and the fold 22 as shown in Figure 2. The member M is now closed upon the member M, causing the fold to be tightly clamped at its juncture with the main body of the sleeve, as the rectilinear portion 14 of the member M and the groove 19 of the member M co-act to latch the members closed with the fold of the fabric interposed therebetweena When the members are latched closed, the v,

clamping branches l2 and 12? of the member M will co-actrespectively with the clamping arms 20 and 20 of the member M, to securely clamp the fold 22 at opposite sides of the latch formed by the rectilinear portion 14; and the groove 19, so as to prevent sagging of the fold and possible unfolding of the latter as well as tilting of the clasp on the sleeve.

With the fold thus clamped at three locations, it will be maintained flatagainst the its main body of the sleeve for a considerable distance around the sleeve from opposite sides of the clasp to insure neatness in appearance. The clasp is shaped to generally follow the curvature of the arm, and suliicient space exists between the members M and M to receive several thicknesses of fabric so that more than one told can be gathered at a single location or from separate locations. The clasp is capable of many uses, such as securing a stocking to other wearing apparel; holding down a shirt front; and clamping together sheets of paper or fabric.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of clasp embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A clasp of the character described comprising two members, means on one end of the members for hingedly connecting the latter to occupy a closed position and an open position to permit the insertion of a piece of material between the members, means on the tree ends of the members co-acting to clamp the material. between the members and to latch the latter closed, and means projecting laterally from opposite sides of the members intermediate their ends, co-acting to clamp the material when the members are latched closed.

2. A clasp of the character described comprising two members, means on one end of the members for hingedly connecting the latter to occupy a closed position and an open position to permit the insertion of a piece of material between the members, means on the free ends of the members eo-acting to clamp the material between the members and to latch the latter closed, and means projecting laterally from opposite sides of the members intermediate their ends, co-acting to clamp the material when the members are latched closed, the last means comprising lateral branches on one member and lateral arms on the other member curved longitudinally to pass beyond the planes of and in close proximity to said branches in the closed position of the members.

3. A clasp oi? the character described comprising a member constructed from a length of bendable wire to provide a hinge pin having parallel spaced apart branches projecting therefrom and extended in opposed directions to provide clamping; branches terminating in return bends and a rectilinear portion connecting the latter and disposed parallel to the pin, a second member constructed from sheet material to provide an elongated body having a sleeve at one end receiving the pin to hingedly connect the WILLIAM P. SPRAGUE. 

